Pirelli can be ready for 18-inch debut in 2016

Paul Hembery claims Pirelli can be ready to supply 18-inch tyres for Formula One by 2016.

Jul.14 (GMM) Pirelli can be ready to supply low-profile tyres to Formula One teams by 2016.

That is the claim of the Italian supplier's F1 chief Paul Hembery, in the wake of the test of the first 18-inch prototype at Silverstone last week.

Currently, the sport's old 13-inch standard is enshrined in the regulations, but both from an aesthetic point of view and also to bring F1 up-to-date with modern technology trends, a move to a lower profile tyre is now being considered.

But, last week, reports suggested 18-inch tyres are unlikely to feature on the Grand Prix grids until at least 2017.

Indeed, Hembery admitted that lower profile tyres pose a development challenge, because the current 13-inch design is more resilient and easier to handle.

"The FIA is talking about the 2017 season," he is quoted by Russia's f1news.ru, "and I think the decision will be made this year.

"This is a realistic time frame, but if the teams want - and we will try - then we could implement these tyres already in 2016.

"We're going to run 18 and 19-inch with GP2 cars," Hembery revealed, "but it will still require a lot of research."